FG to revoke visas of COVID-19 travel protocol violators - Newstrends
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FG to revoke visas of COVID-19 travel protocol violators

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The Federal Government says it will revoke the visas of violators of international travel protocols especially those coming from the UK and South Africa where new strain of COVID-19 has been discovered.

It also says passport numbers of the first 100 violators of international travel protocols will be published this weekend as part of penalties to be imposed on travellers coming into Nigeria.

National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, said these during the PTF’s briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the imposition of fresh travel requirements on passengers from the two countries was due to the emergence of new strain of the virus in the UK and additional mutant of it discovered in South Africa.

He said, “There are new traveling requirements for people traveling from the UK and South Africa effective from 0001 hours on Monday, December 28, 2020.

“It is the responsibility of those passengers to make sure they familiarise themselves with these new rules, and airlines will be informed accordingly.”

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari had at the meeting with the PTF members on Tuesday approved the penalties for the violators of the protocols and that special attention would be paid to “those coming from the UK and South Africa”.

He said, “If you do not do your Day 7 test by Day 10, you will automatically go on to the suspension list and your travel documents, your passport will be suspended for a minimum period of six months.

“If you carry a foreign passport with a visa, we will revoke your visa. And because it is easier to track a smaller group of persons than a large number of passengers which has always been the challenge that we have, we are now able to enforce this specifically for passengers coming from these routes until further notice.”

He said the same penalties would be meted out to “people presenting fake PCR results at our airports when exiting or if they have found to have presented a fake COVID 19 PCR result on arrival.”

On the publication of the list of the passport numbers of violators of the protocols, Aliyu said, “In addition to this, over this weekend we will publish the first list of 100 Nigerian passport numbers that will be suspended for six months.

“We have already contacted the passengers and we have confirmed that they have not had their COVID PCR test.

“We will not be publishing names but we will publish the passport numbers and we asking from now on, people that are traveling should make sure they abide by our protocols because there will be repercussions if you don’t in terms of penalties.”

He noted that international passengers were generally required to visit the Nigerian international travel portal to upload their negative COVID PCR result, generate a Permit to Travel document, also referred to as the QR Code, and also pay for the second PCR COVID test that would be conducted on them by their seventh day of arrival in the country.

He said in addition to these, a special register would be open for UK and South African passengers to enhance their tracking by the government on their arrival to the country.

He said, “We will open a special register at the airport for all passengers arriving from these two countries.

“We will have an enhanced surveillance so that these passengers will be contacted after they have arrived home.

 “We will be checking on them to see if they are having symptoms. But even more importantly by Day 7, we expect these passengers just like any other passengers coming from outside the country to unfailingly go for COVID PCR test which you must have paid for before boarding the aircraft.

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Agege Council Announces Free 3kg Cooking Gas Refill for 4,000 Residents

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Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Abdulganiyu Obasa

Agege Council Announces Free 3kg Cooking Gas Refill for 4,000 Residents

The Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, Abdulganiyu Obasa, has announced a free 3kg cooking gas refill programme for 4,000 residents of the council area.

Obasa made the announcement via a post on X on Friday, stating that the initiative is aimed at reducing household energy costs and providing immediate relief at the grassroots amid rising prices of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

According to the council chairman, beneficiaries will be selected from the seven wards in Agege, with equal allocation across all wards to ensure fairness, accessibility, and inclusiveness.

“As part of our continued commitment to easing the daily burdens faced by our people, I am pleased to announce a free cooking gas refill programme for 4,000 residents across the seven wards in Agege,” Obasa said.

He explained that designated gas refill stations have been assigned to each ward, adding that the distribution would run on a first-come, first-served basis. Residents are required to bring their personal gas cylinders, as only refill services will be provided.

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Obasa warned that once the allocated slots for any ward are exhausted, the exercise would be concluded in that location.

The council boss said the intervention is part of measures to cushion the impact of rising gas prices, support vulnerable households, and promote the use of cleaner and safer cooking energy.

“This is one of several people-focused programmes we are implementing to improve quality of life, encourage clean energy adoption, and demonstrate that governance must be felt where it matters most — in our homes and communities,” he stated.

Obasa is the son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, though the council stressed that the initiative is part of its local social intervention programmes.

The announcement has attracted mixed reactions on social media, with many residents welcoming the scheme as timely relief amid economic pressure.

However, some critics questioned the sustainability of the intervention, arguing that job creation, empowerment programmes, and small business support would provide more long-term economic solutions.

As of the time of filing this report, no official response had been issued by Obasa to the criticisms, though council officials said further details on distribution dates and locations would be communicated through official channels.

Agege Council Announces Free 3kg Cooking Gas Refill for 4,000 Residents

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UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing

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Sadiya Usman

UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing

The University of Abuja (UniAbuja) has confirmed that 100-level student Sadiya Usman has been found safe after being reported missing earlier this week. The university expressed relief and gratitude to the public and security agencies for their assistance in locating the student.

Sadiya Usman, who is enrolled in the Department of Accounting, was last seen leaving her residence at Kontagora Estate, Gwagwalada, Abuja, on Tuesday, 18 February 2026, at around 8:00 a.m. She was on her way to the university’s Main Campus to sit for her Computer-Based Test (GST 111) but did not arrive for the exam.

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After her disappearance, her guardian reported her missing when all attempts to reach her by phone were unsuccessful. The university promptly activated internal safety protocols and collaborated with security agencies, campus authorities, and the public to ensure her safe recovery.

The student was eventually located late on Thursday, 20 February 2026, around 11:49 p.m., and is reported to be safe, unhurt, and in stable condition. Authorities confirmed that coordinated efforts between the university, law enforcement, and concerned members of the public were instrumental in her recovery.

The university reaffirmed its commitment to student safety and welfare, promising continuous updates as necessary. It also thanked those who responded to the public appeal for information and urged students and parents to remain vigilant about safety.

This incident highlights the importance of campus security measures, timely reporting of missing persons, and the role of community involvement in safeguarding students.

UniAbuja Student Sadiya Usman Found Safe After Two Days Missing

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Police to Arrest TikToker Mirabel After She Recants False Rape Claim

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TikToker and aesthetic vendor, Mirabel

Police to Arrest TikToker Mirabel After She Recants False Rape Claim

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed plans to arrest and prosecute TikTok user Mirabel after she admitted that her viral rape allegation was false, authorities and investigative reports indicate.

Mirabel, a social media influencer, first sparked national attention after posting videos alleging she had been sexually assaulted in her home in Ogijo, Ogun State. The posts quickly went viral, drawing widespread outrage, calls for justice, and prompting the police to launch an immediate investigation.

An audio recording of a phone conversation, shared online by social media personality VeryDarkMan (VDM), reportedly captures Mirabel acknowledging that parts of her story were fabricated. In the recording, she apologises and admits creating a threatening TikTok account to support her narrative, claiming she had been taking drugs at the time and “was not thinking clearly” when posting the videos.

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A police source said senior officers, including the Divisional Police Officer, were at the hospital where Mirabel was receiving medical care. Once she is discharged, she will be taken into custody and formally charged under provisions of Nigeria’s Criminal Code relating to false reporting of sexual offenses. “The essence is to serve as a deterrent to others,” the source added.

The Ogun State Police had earlier ensured that Mirabel received medical treatment and support, following procedures to protect her health while the investigation continued. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) confirmed that the incident fell outside its jurisdiction and forwarded all relevant information to the Ogun authorities.

This development has sparked public debate about the responsible use of social media, the impact of false allegations, and the importance of evidence-based reporting. Legal experts warn that fabricating sexual assault claims can carry serious criminal penalties and may undermine the credibility of genuine victims.

Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid spreading unverified claims and to cooperate with law enforcement in ongoing investigations. Updates on the case will be issued by the Ogun State Police Command as formal legal proceedings begin.

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